’This government will Fall if It Didn’t Address Social Issues’

Hussein Assi

Antoine Nasrallah to Al-Manar Website: We Refuse to Be False Witnesses; We Don’t Know Why Jumblatt Felt Targeted; Ministers Heading towards Consensus; Electricity Bill Result of Deep Study; Electricity Sector in Need of Surgery; Int’l Community Seeks Israel’s Interest; Jumblatt Part of Government, Wants Success Free Patriotic Movement official Antoine Nasrallah said that the Change and Reform ministers accepted to postpone the cabinet session aimed at approving Energy Minister Gebran Bassil’s plan to give a “last chance” to reach agreement over it. He expressed belief reaching consensus was possible within one week, and noted that this plan did not come in vain, but was the result of a detailed and deep study that lasted for a while. In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar Website, Nasrallah warned that the reasons of existence for this government would fall in case it didn’t address social issues. He revealed that the Free Patriotic Movement will not accept to be a false witness for the continuation of the previous approach in governing. While wondering why the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt believed he was targeted by head of the Change and Reform bloc MP Michel Aoun’s latest stances, Nasrallah noted that Jumblatt was part of the government, and therefore its success must be his interest. He also stressed that the government should be united, at least in its political vision, to face the upcoming challenges. WE’RE SEEKING TO CAUSE POSITIVE CHOC FPM official Antoine Nasrallah told Al-Manar Website that postponing the agreement on the reform plan prepared by Energy Minister Gebran Bassil was a negative step, especially as it comes in the frame of national, human and social interests such as the electricity crisis. Yet, Nasrallah said that the Change and Reform ministers accepted to postpone the cabinet session aimed at approving the plan to give a “last chance” for reaching an agreement over it. “Without doubt, we’re seeking to cause a positive choc in the country. He expressed belief that reaching consensus was possible within one week, and noted that this plan did not come in vain, but was the result of a detailed and deep study that lasted for a while. WHEN THE REASON OF EXISTENCE FOR GOVERNMENT FALLS! Answering a question on the nature of reservations expressed by some politicians over the content of Bassil’s plan, Nasrallah said they were not accurate. “They may represent a misunderstanding of the essence of the plan,” he said. “Any person who reads the plan and its content perceives that we’re serious and that we’re seeking to achieve reform,” he added. He stressed that this plan did not come in vain, but was the result of a detailed and deep study that lasted for a while. “Whoever does not understand these facts would be depriving Lebanon from a real opportunity for reform,” he highlighted. Answering a question on whether the FPM was serious in it threats of resignation from the government in case the plan was not approved, Nasrallah noted that the reason for this government’s existence would fall if it didn’t seriously handle the social causes. He pointed the FPM ministers efforts in their various portfolios, whether in the telecommunications and internet sector, or the Labor portfolio, or in the Justice ministry. “What remains is the electricity issue. It is time for Lebanese to perceive that this sector was in need of a real ‘surgery’,” he concluded. WHY DID JUMBLATT CONSIDER HIMSELF TARGETED? Nasrallah commented on the latest stance made by head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt, in which he rejected any blackmail. He said he didn’t know why the Progressive Socialist Party’s leader considered himself targeted by MP Michel Aoun’s latest stances. While wondering whether Jumblatt was actually seeking reform, he ruled out that his rhetoric was an attempt to gain some popularity in the Sunni base. “This is neither Jumblatt’s interest nor the government’s one,” he said. “Jumblatt is a part of the government, and therefore he should be concerned with its success,” he went on to say. Answering a question on Jumblatt’s speech in which he indicated that he did not care if his stance led to the destabilization of the current alliance, Nasrallah said: “Nothing scares us.” He reiterated that the reason for this government’s existence was providing the people with tangible results. “If some political forces succeeded in obstructing the government’s work, then it is better for us not to have a government than to be false witnesses.” FOR A UNITED POLITICAL VISION Answering a question on the government’s ability to face the upcoming challenges, mainly the international tribunal and the indictment, Nasrallah said that the Free Patriotic Movement is calling for unifying the political vision. He stressed that the government had to answer the various questions raised, including questions about the false witnesses, as it must be united in face of rumors that have been launched against the government and the resistance. He further emphasized that the unity of the government was essential in this regard, and that there wasn’t any second choice for the government. He said facing these challenges was essential to establish civil peace. He reiterated that the international community did not seek truth in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri’s case. “It only seeks Israel’s interest,” he concluded.

Source: Website Team

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